Course Descriptions

Cardinal Glennon College Required Courses

PHL 300 Logic and Epistemology3 credits – College II
An introduction to an Aristotelian account of logic and the acts of the mind and to the nature and possibility of knowledge, with a focus on developing and articulating a realist philosophy that provides a foundation and guiding inspiration for future courses and studies.

PHL 311 Ancient Philosophy3 credits – College III
An historical introduction to the thought and texts of principal Greek and Roman philosophers from the Pre-Socratics to the Neo-Platonists, with special emphasis on Plato and Aristotle.

PHL 312 Medieval Philosophy3 credits – College III
An historical introduction to the thought and texts of principal philosophers of the medieval period, with special emphasis on Augustine and Aquinas.

PHL 320 Philosophy of Nature3 credits – College III
An introduction to the Aristotelian philosophy of nature (investigating change and motion in sensible bodies) and to the philosophy of science (investigating the significance and practice of scientific inquiry), especially in relation to Catholic belief and practice.

PHL 325 Philosophical Anthropology3 credits – College III
A comprehensive examination—through a critical engagement with historical and contemporary sources—of the nature of the human person as an incarnate being possessing freedom, subjectivity, and powers of knowing. The course includes both Thomist and personalist perspectives.

PHL 330 Epistemology (For students entering Fall 2015 and after, this course is replaced by PHL 300)
3 credits – College IV
A study of the nature and possibility of knowledge.

PHL 405 Metaphysics3 credits – College IV
An introduction to the foundation of philosophy, the science of being, emphasizing an Aristotelian-Thomistic perspective while also addressing modern and contemporary views.

PHL 411 Modern Philosophy3 credits – College IV
An historical introduction to the thought and texts of principal philosophers of the modern period (17th through 19th centuries), with special emphasis on Descartes, Hume, Kant, and Hegel, concentrating on their metaphysical and epistemological arguments.

PHL 412 Contemporary Philosophy3 credis – College IV
An historical introduction to the thought and texts of principal philosophers of the contemporary period (19th century to the present), focusing especially on their metaphysical and epistemological arguments.

PHL 420 Natural Theology3 credits – College IV
A continuation of the study of metaphysics, treating the subject of being in relation to its principle and end, God as Subsisting Infinite Being and First Cause, and the nature of human knowledge of Him.

PHL 425 Ethics3 credits – College III
This course introduces ethics by beginning with Saint Thomas’ account of the final end, action, virtues, and law as found in his Summa Theologiae. The course will conclude with Pope John Paul II’s intervention into moral theology, Veritatis Splendor.

PHL 430 Philosophy Capstone:Faith and Reason2 credits – College IV
This course provides a capstone to the philosophy curriculum by considering themes from various parts of philosophy as focused in the prism of the relation between faith and reason and by building connections to the study of theology. The primary text for the course will be Pope John Paul II’s Fides et ratio and key topics will include the relation of faith and reason and the threefold character of philosophical inquiry as realist, metaphysical, and sapiential.

PHL 461 Political Philosophy3 credits – College IV An historical and systematic introduction to the study of the human as a political being, focusing on such topics as the nature, origin, and purpose of political order and its relation to transcendent truths, with readings from historical and contemporary sources.

THL 120 Catholic Doctrine2 credits – College I
This course is a comprehensive treatment of the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church. Highlighting the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Part One: The Profession of Faith), the class examines the meaning of faith rooted in the Scriptures and Catholic Tradition.

THL 121 Catholic Morality2 credits – College I
This course is a comprehensive introduction to the moral teachings of the Catholic Church.

THL 210 Liturgy and Sacraments I: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist2 credits – College II
This course presents the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist as liturgical celebrations and rites that ‘actualize’ Christ in his Salvific Event.

THL 211 Liturgy and Sacraments II: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Marriage2 credits – College II
This course studies four of the Seven Sacraments.

THL 415 Christian Prayer2 credits – College III
This course covers the basics of spiritual theology, prayer and its development and presents the insights of some of the spiritual masters ending with a treatment of some contemporary issues regarding spirituality and prayer.

Electives

PHL 462 John Paul II’s Philosophy of the Human Person2 credits
Our primary goal is to understand the human person as revealed in the writings of Karol Wojtyla/John Paul II. A secondary goal is to understand the way in which John Paul is a philosopher. Perhaps he can serve as a model.

PHL 463 Aesthetics2 credits
This course is an historical and systematic treatment of philosophical aesthetics, or the rational account of the principles that govern art and beauty.

PHL 467 Philosophical Themes in Newman2 credits
This course examines philosophical themes in the work of Bl. John Henry Cardinal Newman, including such topics as reason, emotions, conscience, authority, and the self.

THL 330 Contemporary Magisterium on Priesthood
1 credit
For pre-theologians preparing for entrance into Theology: a survey of Vatican II and post-conciliar documents on priestly identity and ministry.

FIN 360 Personal Finance2 credits
This course is intended to help a student who is preparing for a vocation in pastoral ministry learn financial management concepts and skills that will enable him to be a good steward of his own personal resources and of the resources entrusted to him as a pastor.

MUS 360 Rudiments of Sight Singing1 credit
This class will be structured as a pedagogical choir, focusing on all the requisite skills for singing including ear training, sight-singing and vocal development without the added pressures or constraints of performance preparation. The course will be tailored to the individual needs of the students enrolled in the course.

MUS 361 Rudiments of Keyboard Theory1 credit
An introduction to music theory taught from the perspective of the keyboard. Designed for the student who wants to learn how to read standard music notation and learn how to “pluck out” a basic tune on the keyboard (a useful skill for learning new hymns and chants). The course will be tailored to the individual needs of the students enrolled in the course. No prior experience required.

MUS 363 History of Western Art Music I2 credits
Ancient to Baroque: A concise survey of music written in the Christian West for the Church and the concert stage through listening, source readings, and discussion. This semester will focus on the roots of Western Art Music in ancient Greece and Rome and trace its development through the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods. No pre-requisites.

MUS 365 History of Western Art Music II2 credits
Classical to Modern: A concise survey of music written in the Christian West for the Church and the concert stage through listening, source readings, and discussion. This semester will continue to look at the development of Western Art Music starting in the 18th century. No pre-requisites. (History I is not required for History II)

HST 365 History of the Crusades2 credits
This course covers the history of the Crusades from 1095-1571 and responds to contemporary misinterpretations. HST 366 The Medieval Papacy 2 credits This course will survey the history of the popes from Saint Sylvester I to Pius II.

HST 367 History of Inquisitions 2 credits This course covers the development, growth and decline of the inquisitions in Europe from the 12th to 17th centuries and responds to the contemporary misunderstanding of the inquisitions.

ENG 361 Catholic Themes in Literature2 credits
In this course students will study Catholic issues and themes in film, poetry, fiction, and drama.

ENG 362 Poetry as Spiritual Journey2 credits
Our course will trace how poetry begins in a specific moment and then takes the author and reader on a spiritual journey to a very surprising, but at the same time, inevitable, moment of grace. It will feature a wide range of poets from Frost, Dickinson and Collins to Hopkins, Herbert and Merton. And it even waits to delight you in your Liturgy of Hours. It will cover themes ranging from Covenant and Creation to The Miraculous, Prayer and Social Struggles. This course will enrich your sensitivity, prayer life and future homilies.